'Panorama' back in BBC One primetime

Long-running current affairs programme Panorama is to return to a regular weeknight slot, the BBC has confirmed.

The series was controversially switched to late night on Sundays in 2000 but will return to Monday nights at 8.30pm from January, airing opposite Coronation Street on ITV1. Although the programme's peak time output will almost double, the length of the show is being cut from 45 minutes to half an hour.

BBC One controller Peter Fincham said the switch was "the right move" for the channel.

"I am absolutely delighted to see our most important current affairs programme return to the heart of the BBC One schedule," added Helen Boaden, the BBC's director of news. "This demonstrates our commitment to putting serious, provocative journalism where it matters."